The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Amreli and Gir Somnath districts as Gujarat braces for a new spell of heavy rainfall till October 30. The unexpected showers, occurring nearly two weeks after the formal withdrawal of the Southwest Monsoon, are attributed to a developing depression and trough over the east-central Arabian Sea.
According to IMD officials, the post-monsoon weather system has intensified, bringing widespread rainfall across Saurashtra, South Gujarat, and parts of Central Gujarat. The meteorological shift has delayed the typical dry spell that follows the monsoon retreat, impacting both agricultural activities and rural connectivity in low-lying districts.The weather bureau has confirmed that the depression over the Arabian Sea is currently moving southwestward, positioned nearly 760 km west-southwest of Mumbai and 790 km west of Panjim. Forecasts indicate that the system will continue drifting south-southwestward over the next 24 hours, maintaining its strength and moisture feed over coastal Gujarat.
From Sunday morning to evening, multiple districts recorded significant precipitation, with Navsari, Gir Somnath, Chhota Udepur, Panchmahal and Tapi crossing the one-inch mark. Jalalpore in Navsari logged the highest rainfall at 54 mm, while areas such as Sutrapada, Kodinar and Una also reported over 30 mm of rain. In North Gujarat, talukas like Kavant and Sankheda witnessed moderate showers, adding to the seasonal total.Weather experts have noted that Gujarat has already received 119 per cent of its annual rainfall quota as of October 26, according to data from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), Gandhinagar.
The highest surplus was recorded in Kutch at 148 per cent, followed by South Gujarat at 126 per cent and North Gujarat at 122 per cent. The overall state average now stands at 119 per cent a rare post-monsoon scenario that underscores the changing rainfall dynamics in western India.The IMD has warned that the ongoing rainfall activity could cause a dip of 2–3°C in both maximum and minimum temperatures, resulting in cooler conditions across most districts. Additionally, light thunderstorms accompanied by winds up to 40 kmph are expected till October 30, raising concerns about crop damage and localised flooding.
Officials have urged residents and local authorities to stay alert, especially in vulnerable zones along the Saurashtra coast. The unexpected rainfall pattern, while beneficial for groundwater recharge, has also renewed discussions on Gujarat’s evolving climate behaviour and the increasing unpredictability of post-monsoon weather systems influenced by Arabian Sea dynamics.
Gujarat On Orange Alert As Heavy Rain Predicted Till October 30
